Weight releasing device



NOV 17 1942- G. E. WARREN 2,302,230

WEIGHT RELEASING DEVICE Filed Jan. 26, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ATTORNEYS 17, H942. G E WARREN 2,302,280

WEIGHT RELEASING DEVICE Filed Jan. 26, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 65 67 6o ves 6/ e2 e6 s4' INVENTOR 650@ G5 i. UA/QRE/z EYS Patented Nov. 17, 1942 UNETED ST'ES TEN FFEC 6 Claims.

This invention relates to devices and methods for releasing weights from a larger object. More particularly, it relates to a device for releasing bombs or the like from an airplane.

Many devices have been suggested for releasing bombs from airplanes. Some of these devices employ an electric current for exploding or igniting an explosive or combustible charge which, by a series or mechanical operations, causes a bomb to be released. Others utilize an electric current for releasing a bomb in other ways. Still others provide means for releasing more than one bomb at a time or for releasing a plurality of bombs one at a time. All of these devices, however, employ rather complicated mechanism for releasing the bomb and still more complicated mechanism for selecting the bombs to be released. They may, for example, require a series of switches, each one to be separately set and closed, to release each bomb, or at best a single manually operated switch making contacts in a plurality of positions.

The present invention, on the other hand, provides a simple mechanism for releasing bombs and a single compact control device for automatically, upon the release of a previous bomb, preparing a subsequent bomb for release.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a simple method of detaching one object from another by means of an explosive charge.

Another object is to provide a device that can be used for detaching a series of objects from a larger object simultaneously or successively or any predetermined number at one time.

y Another object is to prepare a bomb for release, such preparation occurring automatically at the time of releasing a previous bomb.

These objects are accomplished by the present invention which is more easily understood by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is an enlarged cross section of an explosive cartridge with a releasable object attached thereto;

Fig. 2 is a side view partly in elevation and partly in cross section of a series of explosive cartridges associated with a control device therefor;

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken along the line 11H- III of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross section taken along the line IV-IV of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a cross section taken along the line V--V of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a side view partly in elevation and 55 partly in cross section of an alternative form of explosive cartridge and supporting mechanism; and

Fig. 7 is a cross section taken along the line VII-VII of Fig. 6.

Referring to Fig. l, an explosive cartridge I0 consists of a tube of breakable material II closed at each end by means of an insulating plug I2. Through each plug extends a metallic center piece i3. Surrounding the end portions of the breakable tube II are two metallic sleeves Il! insulated from electrical contact with the center piece I3 by means of the plug I2. The center portion of the breakable tube I I may be provided with annular recesses I5 forming weakened portions enabling said center portion to be readily detached by an explosion. From this center portion is hung a bomb or other releasable object IS (Fig. 2).

The interior of the tube II is lled with an explosive or combustible charge I l, adapted to be exploded or ignited by means of heat. Through the explosive charge passes one or more ne wires I8, adapted to be heated by an electric current and attached at one end to one of the sleeves I 4 and at the other end to one of the center pieces I3. Upon the passage of an electric current through the Wires I8, they instantly become incandescent, thus causing the charge I1 to explode or ignite. The heat and pressure generated bursts the tube II and releases the bomb or other releasab-le object I6, which falls out of its own Weight or is pulled out by springs or other pulling mechanism.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the tube i0 is held in place in a frame 20. This frame consists of a metallic plate 20 having parts cut out therefrom and bent upon itself in the shape of a U. The parts cut out are all the parts constituting the bend of the U except the semi-circular supports 2l upon which the metallic sleeves I 4 of the cartridge I0 rest. The central portion of the cartridge, from which the bomb or other releasable object I 6 hangs, is unsupported. The cartridge is kept from sliding or moving laterally by means of a spring 22 which is supported by and connected to an electrical terminal 24 and serves also as an electric connection between the terminal 24 and the center pieces I3, against which the ends of the spring 22 rest. The terminal 24 is connected to a wire 25, and is insulated from the plate 20 by means of insulation 2S. The plate 20 is itself connected to the ground, shown at 2l.

There may be a plurality of frames, each supporting one or more cartridges I0, or only a single frame supporting one or a plurality of cartrdges. The term frame, as used throughout the present specification and claims, is understood to mean either a single frame or a plurality of frames.

In the form shown in Figs. 6 and 7, a cartridge 6D consists of a tube of non-breakable material 6| closed at both ends. This tube again is lled with an explo-sive or combustible charge 62, through which passes a ne Wire 63. At one end this Wire makes electrical contact, through a cap 64, with a terminal 65, which in turn is contacted to a wire 25, said wire corresponding to the wire 25 of Fig. 2. An insulating cap 66 keeps cap 64 from contact with the tube 6|. At the other end the wire 63 makes electrical contact with a spring pressed plunger 6l which in turn makes electrical contact with the metallic frame 68. The latter is connected to the ground at 2l, as in Fig. 2, and is insulated from terminal 65 by insulation 69. The cartridge 69 rests in a depression 1| formed in a slot 16 in the side of the frame 63. The cartridge is kept from lateral movement until exploded by means of the spring-pressed plunger 61, also resting `in the depression li. From the unsupported central portion of the cartridge 65 is hung a bomb or other releasable object I5. When fired, the cartridge is separated from the caps 66 and 64 and forced to the left against the resistance of the spring pressed plunger 6l, until it slips through the ring of the object i6, thereby releasing said object.

In case only one bomb or other object is to be released, the wire 25 is connected directly to a source of electric current. In most cases, however, several bombs are to be released simultaneously or successively according to the desire of the operator. In order to accomplish this result the magnetic control device indicated generally at 36 (Fig. 2) is utilized. This consists of a cylindrical casing 3| of insulating material provided with an integral end wall 33 also of insulating material. The opposite end wall 44 is preferably removable in order to provide ready access to the apparatus within.

Mounted within the casing 3| is a rotating shaft 32 riding in bearings located at each end of the casing. This shaft extends through the end wall 44 and is there connected to a handle 56. It does not extend through the end wall 33. Mounted on the shaft 32 near the end wall 33 is a rotor 34 (alsocomposed of insulating material) which rotates with the shaft. This rotor is pron vided on one side with one or more semi-circular l metallic contact strips. In the form shown in the drawings, two such strips are shown, indicated at 35 and 45. These contact strips are electrically connected to terminals 36 and i6 respectively, which are in turn connected by wires 3l and 4l respectively to a push buttonor switch 55, and thence to a source of electric current When more than one of these metallic strips'or plates is employed, as shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5, it may be desired to operate one without operating the other or on the other hand it may be desired to operate both simultaneously. This 1s eiected by means of the switch 59. When switch 53 is closed, both circuits are operated, but when opened current does not pass through the wire 4l.

The electrical connection between vthe semi-- circular plate 35 andthev terminal 36 is made through a spiral spring 33 iirmly attached at one end t0 an electric terminal i i, said terminal passing. through the rotor 34 tothe plate .35,` and at the other end to an electric terminal 42 attached to and passing through the cylindrical casing 3| to the terminal 36. A similar construction is provided to connect plate 45 with terminal 46, but in this case the inner end of the spring is con nected to a metallic bracket 43 so as to space this end of the spring 38 away from the inner suri face of the casing 3|, and thus keep it from iri-v terfering with the other spring 38. This bracket 43 in turn is rigidly connected to the terminal 46, and forms an electrical connection between the terminal 46 and the spring 38. Besides making an electric contact the springs 38 have an additional function, as described below.

Passing through the wall 33 of the casing 3| are a series of electrical contact members 48 held against the rotor 34 by means of springs 49. On the exterior of the casing each one of these electri-cal contact members is electrically connected by a wire '25 to a cartridge i3, as hitherto described. v

The semi-circular contact plates 35 and 45 con tact one or more of the electrical contact members 48 in the wall 33 of the casing only when the rotor 34 is in such position as to accomplish this result. l In the position shown in full lines in Fig. 4 all the members 48 are in contact with the plates 35 or 45. In the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, on the other hand, none of the members 48 are in contact with the plates 35 and 45. In, intermediate positions one or more members 48 will be in contact with the plates 35 and 45. Since shaft 32 and rotor 34 can rotate in the casing any of these positions can be conveniently occupied. In the form shown in the drawings, eighteen electrical contact members 48 are shown. When the push button 58 is closed, one, two, three, iour, ve, six, seven, eight or nine bombs at a time (switch 53 open) or two, four, six, eight, ten, twelve, fourteen, sixteen or eighteen bombs at a time (switch 59 closed) may be released, when all supports 2| are lledfwith cartridges and bombs. Thus, supposing that the switch 53 is closed, and supposing al1 frames 28 full of bombs, when the rotor 34 is rotated so that the plates 35 and v45 contact only the rst members 48a, two bombs Will be released by closing push button 53. If the rotor is then subsequently further advanced so that plates 35 and 65 will contact vmembers 48a and 46D, the closing of the' push button will release only two additional bombs, since the rst two bombs have already been released. If the rotor initially occupies this position, however, four bombs will be released.

In practice, it is preferred .that an additional set of one or two bombs be automatically released each time the push button 58.is closed. This is accomplished as follows: To start operation of the device, the handle 56 is turned in a clockwise direction, causing rotor 34 to rotate and spring 33 to be under tension. The relative position of contact members 48 and plates 35 and 45 is then shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 4. The rotor is maintained in this position against the resistance of the springs 38, by a ratchet and pawl arrangement -described more fully hereinafter. This arrangement consists of a double ended pawl pivoted at 54 and engaging with a ratchet wheel 5|, the latter flxedly mountedon the shaft 32 and rotating in unison therewith and with the rotor .34. The upper part of the pawl 56 is held in position against the ratchet Wheel 5| by means of a tension spring 52 attached to abell crank 55 pivoted at 53, the

upper arm of the bell crank being attached to the pawl 5i). When the electric circuit is closed by means of the push button 58, part of the current passing through the wire 3l passes through a wire '13, thence through an electro-magnet 'M and iinally out through a wire l5 to the ground. The current causes the electro-magnet 'lli to attract the bell crank 55 so that the upper part of the pawl 5i) is released from engagement with the ratchet wheel 5l. At the same time, the lower part of the pawl 5E) engages in Contact with the ratchet wheel. This causes the ratchet wheel to rotate a half notch due to the rotating force of the springs 38 on the rotor 35. When the current is broken, the magnet M releases the bell crank 55, so that the lower part of the pawl 50 disengages from the ratchet wheel 5i and the upper part of the pawl again contacts with the ratchet wheel. This causes the ratchet wheel 5I to rotate the remaining half notch and the plates 35 and 65 to contact the rst of the members d8, i. e. members d8a. The device is then in position for the release ci a single bomb or a pair of bombs by the operation of the push button 58. If the switch 5B is closed, a pair of bombs will be released, and if the switch 5S is open, a single bomb will be released as hereinbefore described. At the same time the electromagnet l@ causes the ratchet wheel to advance another half notch. When released, it advances .the other half notch, causing the plates 35 and i5 to contact members 48h in addition to members 48a. An additional set of members 48 is contacted each time the push button is closed.

When all of the bomb-s have been released, each support 2| may be provided with an additional bomb I6 and explosive cartridge ii) and the control device Sii reset or rewound by turning the handle 5% until the metal plates 35 and 45 are out of Contact with all of the elements 158.

If it is desired to release more than one set of bombs at one time, such as all the bombs at once, the device is so set that contact between the plates 35 and 45 is made with more than one set of elements d8. This can be accomplished by rocking the pawl 5i) mechanically or by initially setting the device so that such a contact is made.

As many modifications may obviously be made from the forms shown in the drawings without departing from the spirit of the invention, the invention is not intended to be limited thereto except as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In a weight releasing device, a frame, a rupturable cartridge having its two end portions directly supported by said frame and a central portion unsupported by said frame, a charge within said cartridge expansible by means of heat, a heating element passing through said charge, a weight directly suspended from said central portion of said cartridge, and means for heating said element whereby said cartridge is ruptured and said weight is released.

2. In a weight releasing device, a frame, a rupturable cartridge having its two end portions directly supported by said frame and a central portion unsupported by said frame, a charge within said cartridge expansible by means of heat, a heating element forming part of an electric Circuit and passing through said charge, a weight directly suspended from said central portion of said cartridge, a source of electric current for said heating element, and means for electrically connecting said source to said heating element, whereby said cartridge is ruptured and said weight is released.

3. In a Weight releasing device, a plurality of weights, a plurality of means associated with said weights for releasing the same upon the passage of an electric current therethrough, a source of electric current, a plurality of electric terminals disposed in a circle, each of said terminals being electrically connected to a separate one of said releasing means, a rotating element, an electric contact element attached to said rotating element, means for moving said electric contact element successively into electric contact with said terminals, means for controlling the rotation of said rotating element, an electromagnet for operating said controlling means, and a switch for simultaneously connecting said source to saidl electric contact element and to said electro-magnet.

4. In 'a weight releasing device, a plurality of weights, a plurality of means associated with said weights for releasing the same upon the passage of an electric current therethrough, a source of electric current, a plurality of electric terminals disposed in a circle, each of said terminals being electrically connected to a separate one of releasing means, a rotating element, an electric contact element attached to said rotating element, a spring for moving said electric contact element successively into electric contact with said terminals, a ratchet wheel moving in unison with said rotating element, a double ended pawl normally engaging said ratchet wheel at one end of said pawl, an electro-magnet for disengaging said one end and engaging the other end of said pawl with said ratchet wheel, and a switch for simultaneously connecting said source to said electric contact element and to said electro-magnet.

5. In a weight releasing device, a frame, a plurality of rupturable cartridges each having end portions resting on and directly supported by said frame, a central portion unsupported by said frame, a weight directly suspended from said central portion, an interior portion, an explosive charge within said interior portion, and electric means for exploding said explosive charge. a source of electric current, means for connecting said source to at least one of said electric exploding means, and means operated by said connecting means for bringing at least one other of said electric exploding means into connecting position with said source upon subsequent operation of said connecting means.

6. In a weight releasing device, a frame, a plurality of rupturable cartridges each having end portions resting on and directly supported by said frame, a central portion unsupported by said fram-e, a weight directly suspended from said central portion, an interior portion, an explosive charge within said interior portion, and elect-ric means forA exploding said explosive charge, a source of electric current, a plurality of electric terminals, each of said terminals being electrically oonnected to a separate one of said electric exploding means, an element movable with respect to said terminals, means for moving said movable element successively into electric contact with said terminals, electrically operative means for operating said moving means, and means for electrically connecting said source to said movable element and to said electrically operative means.

GEORGE E. WARREN. 

